BioVaria 2025 honours Citrapeutics and Green Elephant Biotech with Startup Pitch & Partner Awards
A record number of over 320 innovators from the international life-science community gathered in Munich for the 17th BioVaria, Europe’s premier event for showcasing commercially attractive inventions and start-ups. A highlight was the BioVaria Startup Pitch & Partner Program, where 10 handpicked start-ups — five in the "Emerging" and five in the "Rising" category — pitched their ventures to a panel of seasoned investors. This year’s winners are Green Elephant Biotech (Rising) and Citrapeutics (Emerging). Green Elephant Biotech, based in Gießen, Germany, develops and commercializes an innovative cell culture system called CellScrew®, enabling biopharmaceutical companies to produce cell and gene therapies, vaccines and biologicals more efficiently, sustainably, and on a larger scale. Citrapeutics, a spin-off from the Helmholtz Centre of Infection Research, develops first-in-class therapeutics targeting the enzyme ACOD1 to restore immune function and enhance cancer immunotherapy.
Both teams expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to present at BioVaria and connect with leading investors and potential industry partners. “We’re honoured to receive this award. Just last year, we were attendees at BioVaria 2024, inspired by the presentations and the energy! We dreamed of presenting in 2025 — now we’re the winning team. We owe this to the incredible support from our colleagues at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, the Helmholtz Enterprise program, and Ascenion. Receiving this award is a huge motivation boost for us to continue the long journey of bringing ACOD1 inhibitors to clinical application. The connections made through BioVaria have brought Citrapeutics one step closer to impacting the lives of millions of cancer patients,” said Nikolas Chalkias and Frank Pessler.
Joel Eichmann of Green Elephant Biotech added: “BioVaria offers exactly the stage that young biotech companies need: close to science, practical, and in exchange with strong industrial partners. We are delighted to receive this award. It confirms our belief that adherent cell production needs to be not only more efficient, but also more scalable — and that we are on the right track with our platform".
Building on last year's positive feedback, BioVaria once again spotlighted promising early-stage projects supported by the GO-Bio initial and ForTra funding programmes. As part of this initiative, Behnam Javanmardi (GO-Bio) and Michael Zeisberg (ForTra) received awards for their exceptional pitch performances. „Exciting innovations, many investors present, great location, networking in Beer Garden, very worthwhile event!” – this is Michael Zeisberg’s positive summary. Behnam Javanmardi was also satisfied with the event: “BioVaria is an outstanding event that offers fantastic opportunities to connect with investors, potential industry partners, and innovative startups. I’m truly honoured by the jury’s decision and grateful to receive this award.”
Mark your calendars: BioVaria 2026 will return to Munich on 27 – 28 April.
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Topic world Cell culture technology
Cell culture technology is a central pillar in biotechnological and pharmaceutical research and development. It enables the growth and maintenance of cells under controlled laboratory conditions, providing a window into the molecular and cellular processes of life.
Topic world Cell culture technology
Cell culture technology is a central pillar in biotechnological and pharmaceutical research and development. It enables the growth and maintenance of cells under controlled laboratory conditions, providing a window into the molecular and cellular processes of life.